What is a Pre- or Post-Conference Workshop?
The pre- and post-conference workshops for the Outdoor Professional Conference (OPC) are designed to provide attendees with a more comprehensive learning experience. These workshops offer hands-on training, expert-led sessions, and unique networking opportunities, allowing participants to delve deeper into key topics related to outdoor recreation and education. The sessions cater to various skill levels, from foundational knowledge to advanced concepts, ensuring that all attendees can enhance their expertise and take away valuable insights.
Workshops include a range of specialized topics such as wilderness first recertification, risk management for outdoor programs, behavioral first response, and Leave No Trace principles. Each workshop is facilitated by experienced professionals and often includes a blend of online and in-person sessions. These opportunities allow attendees to expand their skill sets, connect with peers, and apply new techniques and strategies in their professional roles. Additional registration is required for these workshops, which are tailored to maximize the value of the overall conference experience. You may also attend these workshops without conference registration.
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Conference Registration Rates
Package | Early | Regular | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
Professional Member | $450 | $500 | $600 |
Professional Non-Member | $475 | $525 | $625 |
2nd & 3rd Person* | $425 | $500 | $575 |
4+ People* | $200 | $300 | $400 |
Supporter Member | $465 | $515 | $615 |
Military^ | $199 | $199 | $199 |
Student Professional Member** | $125 | $125 | $125 |
Student Supporter Member** | $140 | $140 | $140 |
Student Non-Member** | $150 | $150 | $150 |
Daily Registration | $200 | $250 | $299 |
Get a better rate! Learn more about joining the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE).
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Hybrid Wilderness First Recertification Course (WRC)
Date/Time: Online; In Person: Nov 17 & 18 | 9 AM - 5 PM CT
Location: To be determined
Fee: $375.00
The Hybrid WRC format offers 8 hours of self-paced, online instruction followed by two consecutive days in the classroom. The online component is hosted on Canvas, allowing students to work at a personalized pace. The online material consists of reading assignments, case studies, videos, photos, animations, quizzes, and a midterm exam and is available approximately 1 month before the in-person classroom section.
During the classroom section, course participants integrate their knowledge via drills, skill stations, scenarios, simulations, and discussions with the same instructor team that supports them during the online component.
Registration for the Hybrid WRC includes both the online and classroom sections. In the event that an individual is unable to meet in-person, or a classroom section is canceled, course participants have the flexibility to transfer to another 2-day classroom section as long as it is within 1-year of completing the online component.
Pre-Requisites: Valid WFR completion card. Online-only WFR certifications are not accepted.
Contact: Jacob Rothrock | jacob@desertmountainmedicine.com
Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course
Date/Time: Nov 17 & 18 | 9 AM - 5 PM CT
Location: To be determined
Fee: $125.00; Note: this course will not include overnight camping or meals.
Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Courses emphasize skills and techniques essential to Leave No Trace minimum impact outdoor ethics and education. This course is designed for individuals who will be teaching Leave No Trace Skills Courses and Workshops and providing general Leave No Trace outreach. Through classroom discussions, lectures, interactive activities, and a two-day outing, this course will cover the Leave No Trace 7 Principles, discuss outdoor ethics, and give participants tools and techniques for disseminating Leave No Trace skills to others.
Core Components of the Level 1 Instructor Course Curriculum:
- The role and function of a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor.
- The principles and ethics of Leave No Trace.
- Teaching skills and techniques and student learning styles.
- One teaching session led by each participant.
- Overview of the national Leave No Trace program.
- The role and function of the Leave No Trace organization.
TEACHING SESSION: Graduates of the Level 1 Course are equipped to teach others the Leave No Trace 7 Principles through Skills Courses and Workshops of any length. In order to better equip instructors to meet this expectation, each participant will teach one 5-10 minutes long lesson in the field during this course. This provides a hands-on learning experience and the chance to practice Leave No Trace teaching strategies in a supportive, educational environment. Teaching session topics will be assigned in advance, and information to assist with session preparation will be sent to participants.
COURSE COMPLETION: Upon completion of a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Course, each participant will become a Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor and receive a certification certificate. Completion of the course requires participation in all course activities and teaching exercises. Those who complete the Level 1 Instructor Course are equipped to:
- Facilitate Leave No Trace Skills Courses and Workshops.
- Understand, demonstrate, and teach Leave No Trace minimum impact techniques to others.
- Lead a discussion on outdoor ethics and help others explore their own outdoor ethic.
- Serve as a co-instructor for Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor Courses with a qualified Level 2 Instructor.
Pre-Requisites: None
Contact: Jenny Hill | jhill@aore.org
Sequencing for Your Team with Low/No Prop Activities
Date/Time: Monday, November 18th | 1-5 PM CT
Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Fee: $65.00
Join me for a few hours of fun with activities that help you accomplish a goal. First we will learn about setting a goal for the day then we will tailor make a program full of team building, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution activities to get us to that goal. You will get a chance to participate in the activities as well as hear the thoughts of why and how to use that activity. We will define sequencing and its importance in building trust within a group. By the end you will have a full list of new activities to help you sequence a low and no prop program for the group of your choosing.
This workshop will be utilizing low prop/no props to accomplish this. (Low props is referring to less actual items or homemade items, No prop is referring to doing an activity without any items).
New trip leaders and facilitators are encouraged to attend to learn how to create and hopefully maintain good group dynamics. Seasoned trip leaders and facilitators are also encouraged to attend to learn new tips, tricks, and help to put a spin on things.
Pre-Requisites: None. Participants need to submit any limitations they may have to physically participate so that the instructor can be prepared with adaptations.
Contact: Sasha Griffith | ferelithconsulting@gmail.com
Risk Management for Outdoor Programs
Date/Time: Nov 6 - Dec 4, 2024 | 11 AM - 1230 PM ET
Location: Online
Fee: $649.00
Viristar's Risk Management for Outdoor Programs course provides a comprehensive training on safety management for outdoor and experiential professionals.
The course is 40 hours in length, over four weeks, and takes place online.
The course is suitable for managers and those with administrative or other leadership responsibilities for experiential, outdoor, wilderness, adventure, or travel programs, or those who plan to be managers. No prior knowledge is required.
Course Components:
The course is composed of both self-study and video-conference sessions. These live calls include seminar-style discussions, participant presentations, question and answer periods, and learning activities held in large and small groups.
In between video-conference sessions are Independent Work Periods. During these times participants complete independent work including readings, video presentations, quizzes, discussion forums, video-based role-play simulations, assessments, and writing assignments such as a Risk Management Plan outline.
Course topics include:
- Laws
- Safety standards
- Human factors
- Equipment
- Transportation
- Insurance
- Safety audits
- Systems thinking
- and much more
Textbook: The course includes lifetime access to an electronic, online-based copy of the course textbook Risk Management for Outdoor Programs: A Guide to Safety in Outdoor Education, Recreation and Adventure.
Certification: Participants take short quizzes throughout the course and a final written exam. Individuals who fully participate in learning activities and successfully complete the final exam receive a certificate from Viristar valid for three years.
For more information, visit courses.viristar.com.
Pre-Requisites: High speed internet access (sufficient for Zoom calls), computer and headphones/microphone
Contact: Annie Linhart | annie@viristar.com
Behavioral First Responder Level 1
Date/Time: Monday, November 18 | 9 AM - 4 PM CT
Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Fee: $293.00
The Behavioral First Responder Level 1 Workshop, exclusively offered by Alpenglow Education, is a groundbreaking certification program designed for educators, outdoor leaders, administrators, and mental health professionals seeking to elevate their expertise in managing behavioral and mental health crises within educational and outdoor settings. This workshop is the only one of its kind, focusing on the nuanced challenges of behavioral management and mental health support in the diverse and dynamic environments we face as outdoor professionals.
Over an intensive curriculum, participants will delve into a rich tapestry of theories, models, and practical strategies drawn from the fields of psychology, social work, and counseling. This comprehensive approach is tailored to equip attendees with the skills necessary to recognize, understand, and effectively respond to behavioral issues and mental health crises. Through a blend of interactive lectures, case studies, role-playing, and scenario-based learning, the workshop promotes a hands-on learning experience that ensures participants can apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
Attendees will learn to navigate the complexities of behavioral crises with sensitivity and confidence, employing evidence-based interventions and proactive measures to support individuals in distress. The program's unique focus on integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into risk management further enriches the learning experience, preparing participants to create supportive environments for all.
Pre-Requisites: None
Contact: Curt Davidson | curt@alpengloweducation.com
Conference Registration Notes:
*These packages allow multiple people from your organization access to the full conference which includes education sessions and the expo hall. To receive this multi-attendee discount, attendees from the same organization must register at the same time and pay with one credit card.
**Education & Expo Access Included (socials not included)
^To verify military status, please present a copy of your military ID when picking up your badge